How to Make a DIY Gift Bag for Christmas
Last Updated on March 3, 2022
Hello friends! With the holidays just around the corner, I am SUPER excited to show you how to make a DIY gift bag. This is the perfect way to wrap oddly shaped items. DIY gift bags are easy to make! With this tutorial, you will never have an awkward or ugly wrapped gift again.

I saw a video on Facebook last holiday season that I believe was posted by The Today Show (or another morning show–I can’t remember which one it was) demonstrating how to make a DIY gift bag from wrapping paper.
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How to Make a DIY Gift Bag
Materials needed
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Rectangle hole punch
- Ribbon
- Wrapping paper {I love Amazon and Target for wrapping paper–see some beautiful options below–just click on any of them for more information}
I even prepared a video tutorial to show you how easy it is to make a diy gift bag. Check it out, and if you love it, please share it with your friends or on Facebook or pin it to save it for later :)
Steps to make your gift bag
1) Roll out some of your wrapping paper and place the oddly shaped item that you want to wrap on top of it. Make sure you use enough wrapping paper to cover the item. Cut your wrapping paper to size.
2) Place your paper face down on your table. Fold the right and left sides in until they meet in the middle and overlap some. Tape the seam.



3) Fold the bottom of the wrapping paper up to create the bottom of the bag.


4) Separate the two pieces of wrapping paper and flatten out the corners to create a diamond shape (see below).

5) Fold the top and bottom corners in toward the middle of the diamond. Tape in place.


6) Open the bag and place your item in it.

7) Fold the top of the bag over to the back side. Use your rectangle shape hole punch to punch holes for ribbon of your choosing.

8) Thread ribbon through the holes and tie a bow.

That's it! You are done. Isn't it easy? And aren't the bags beautiful?!

If you love this idea, be sure to save it to Pinterest so you can find it again later.
Other posts you may enjoy:
- DIY Magical Christmas Lanterns
- How to Make a Christmas Reindeer from Logs!
- Colorful & Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments
- 6 Secrets to Elevate Your Christmas Aesthetic
- DIY Advent Calendars
- My Favorite Christmas & Holiday Decor
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The step-by-step instructions provided here are clear and easy to follow, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned crafters alike. I appreciate how the author has included a list of materials needed upfront, allowing me to gather everything I need before getting started.
The use of recyclable materials in this DIY project is not only environmentally friendly but also adds a unique touch to the gift-giving experience. I love the idea of repurposing old newspapers or colorful pages from magazines to create festive and personalized gift bags.
The tips and tricks shared throughout the article, such as adding decorative elements like ribbons, tags, and even mini ornaments, take these DIY gift bags to the next level. It’s wonderful to see how a simple homemade touch can make a gift feel even more thoughtful and heartfelt.
You could also put a piece of light weight, cut-to-fit, cardboard in the bottom of the bag to provide more stability.
Absolutely!
I am trying to do Christmas on a budget this year as I have recently gone back to school. I have looked at this type of wrapping before but didn’t find a site with directions like this one. I love the systematic instructions which break it down into detail. I can’t wait to try this in a couple weeks when the gift wrapping get under way! Thank you
Awesome Caitlin! SO glad you found it helpful. happy wrapping!
A great tutorial. I have a 1990’s children’s craft book that gives instructions on making gift bags but your one is easier. Just a tip: instead of scotch tape what about double sided tape under the edges so they don’t show? Makes it look tidier. Also, if the item that is being gift bagged is light (such as that lovely teddy which was being ‘suffocated’) you could tie a knot in each ribbon end and use it as a .handle. Just an idea.
I LOVE what you did to your lounge/sitting room. That fireplace is ama-zing and the room looks so much different and better than before (not hard really). I’m going to bookmark your site and take a look around it.
With thanks.
Cee Jay/Leigh on Sea, Essex, ENGLAND, Britain.
Thanks so much Cee Jay! Great ideas, and thanks for reading!
These bags are a great way to dress up any gift. Muslin bags in bulk are good to have on had as well. You will always be ready for cute packaging that way!
Super cute ways to make your gift wrapping that much more special. Muslin and burlap bags are a great gift bag option to have on hand as well.
I wonder if I can also use this idea to make a fabric bag? I just bought my first sewing machine and I am intimidated by patterns.
That’s a GREAT idea Mary!
That would be really cute for cookies or cookie mixes!
This is fantastic, thanks for the tutorial. I’m going to take a look around at your blog. Would love for you to stop by. By the way, love the name of your blog
Cindy
Thanks so much, Cindy!
Wonderful D-I-Y instructions. Had to share on FB. :-)
Thanks so much, Tracy! I really appreciate the FB share!!!
awesome!!
Thank you so much for this. The ladies at my church put together a bazaar every Christmas and we were discussing making gift bags for the purchases as well as some really over the top ones for sale. Your instructions will certainly help put this together.
So glad to hear it, Donna!
Just want you to know that this saved my “wrapping the Chanukah presents” nught. I was wrapping a toy drum without a box~! This worked wonderfully. Thank you so much.
Yay! So glad to hear it, Lynne! Happy Chanukah!
This is a fantastic idea! I couldn’t help but crack up at that first picture of the awkwardly wrapped gift. You can easily spend loads of money on gift bags(if you buy the really cute ones!), so this is a total game changer. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing!
Shonee
http://www.hawthorneandmain.com
So glad I came across this. I have an awkward shaped gift I need to wrap and am going to give this technique a try. I appreciate the video.
Absolutely love it and will definitely be using it ❤
Yay! So glad to hear it Mert!
I love this idea! Glad I found you. I just popped over from Lindsey’s Blog at Better After and I loved the re-do of the green room in your house to the lovely and calming blue room with the cement fireplace. Great job! Can’t wait to poke around your blog and see what other lovely ideas and re-do’s you’ve done.
Thanks so much for stopping by Alicia! I hope you enjoyed reading other posts of mine!